Saudi Arabian families traditionally get together before Ramadan to celebrate the end of the month of Shaban before they start a month of fasting and praying.
Shabana, the name of the celebration, has for decades been a popular tradition, especially for women and children.
Shabana comes from Shaban – the name of the Islamic month in which it is celebrated. Shaban, meaning separation, is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar.
"We have a party during the end of the month, close to Ramadan, which is this week, where we dress up and enjoy our time with family before everyone starts fasting," says Maha, a Saudi saleswoman in Jeddah.
"It is usually a fun night, where we cook Saudi food – usually my grandmother and mother prepare a feast and we invite our cousins and neighbours. It is a festive atmosphere with music conducive to the theme of Ramadan, nothing vulgar or immodest," said Razan Ahmad, a student in Jeddah.
Shaban is the last lunar month before Ramadan. Muslims usually fast during the month of Shaban to get used to the habit of fasting before the 30 days of Ramadan.
The month is significant in Islam as it was in the middle of the month of Shaban when God was believed to have ordered the change of qibla, the direction towards which Muslims face when they pray, answering prayers of the Prophet Mohammed, from Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Makkah.
However, the tradition was more popular with older generations.
"It depends on the region you live in. So, in cosmopolitan cities where almost every family member is working, there is less focus on the small traditions but we still follow them in our own way," says Nada Saleh, a Saudi teacher in Riyadh.
"I usually get together with my friends a few nights before Ramadan where we discuss our plans over great food and exchange Ramadan gifts as well. I make Ramadan baskets for each of my friend's homes, I include dates, perfume, tasbih, prayer mats and Islamic books for children too, along with desserts."
Fasting before Ramadan
Before Shabana, some people start fasting sporadically to get into the spirit of the holy month and prepare for long hours without food and drink.
"I think it's such a great idea to get us into the habit of fasting ... it's not easy and this is why I love Shaban, it really prepares you," says Sana Shaikh, a Pakistani resident in Dammam.
"You don't just run a marathon – you practise and work towards it. Similarly, the month of Shaban helps you get in the mindset of Ramadan, physically, spiritually and mentally."
Fasting in Shaban is not mandatory like it is in Ramadan. But many Muslims tend to fast during Shaban to get ready for Ramadan and include practices such as reciting the Holy Quran while fasting, and engaging in increased acts of charity.
It was also during the middle of Shaban that verses from the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Mohammed calling all Muslims to face the Kaaba in Makkah whenever they pray.
"Shaban is a very important month for Muslims because it is where they face while praying. Even though Al-Aqsa Mosque had been the Qiblah for Muslims, it was changed after Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) migrated to Madinah. It is important to teach our kids the history and significance of this month," says Hera Arshad, a British citizen living in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health recently announced that all measures imposed after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic were being lifted.
People can now pray in mosques without social distancing measures. Pilgrims can enter the two grand mosques without a prayer permit and break their fast inside the mosques unlike last Ramadan.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
